Wharton's Memphis win to set off scramble for interim Shelby County leadership

A C Wharton thanks supporters Thursday night at Minglewood Hall after clinching the Memphis mayoral election. His county vacancy is already drawing a crowd of interest.

Sometime in the next few days, A C Wharton will submit a resignation letter to the Shelby County Commission, setting in motion a chain of events that will ripple through local government for months.

Wharton's resignation letter will probably go to the commission's chief administrator, Steve Summerall, or to County Commission chairwoman Joyce Avery, who is in line to become acting county mayor for up to 45 days.

Then in late November or early December, the 13-member County Commission will select an interim mayor.

Before the commission votes, members of the public will be able to apply for the mayor's job and make public presentations. But they'll have to compete with several county commissioners who want the post.

Among the Democratic candidates are Commissioners Joe Ford and J.W. Gibson II. Commissioner Steve Mulroy's name has also been mentioned.

Any county commissioner who becomes interim mayor will see his salary rise from $30,600 for part-time commission work to $150,000 on an annualized basis for full-time work as mayor.

The new interim mayor could fire top administrators, including the chief administrative officer, the county attorney and the public defender. The County Commission would have to approve the replacements.

And the interim mayor could play a major role in setting priorities for the county's operating budget, which is worth more than $1 billion in the current fiscal year.

Avery, a Republican from a suburban district, has said voters can expect continuity during her time as acting mayor.

"As far as leadership goes, I have been on the County Commission for seven years, and my leadership will not change," Avery said this week. "I will work with everyone as I have, be it Republican, Democrat."

She said she may hire an assistant to help her, but otherwise won't make any hiring or firing decisions.

Republican candidates like Avery and Commissioner George Flinn would have a hard time winning the interim mayor's job when Democrats hold an 8-5 majority on the board.

Whichever candidate the commission picks will have just a few months in office before the May 4 primary elections for the 2010-2014 mayoral term.

The general election would follow on Aug. 5, and the next mayor would take office Sept. 1.

Wharton could wait to submit his resignation until the Shelby County Election Commission certifies the election result, which it aims to do by Oct. 26.

Government in transition

When A C Wharton resigns as Shelby County mayor to take the Memphis mayor's job, County Commission chairwoman Joyce Avery will become acting county mayor for up to 45 days.

In late November or early December, the 13-member County Commission will select an interim county mayor.

Primary elections for the 2010-2014 county mayor's term will be May 4.

The general election will follow on Aug. 5, and the next county mayor will take office Sept. 1.